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–+ servings
Bowl of vodka cream sauced pasta.
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Instant Pot Pasta alla Vodka

This rich and creamy pasta is so delicious!  It's perfect for a special occasion, but easy enough for a weeknight dinner! 
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Time to come up to pressure about 15 minutes
Total Time 31 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 600kcal
Author Pam Greer

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons butter unsalted
  • 3 cloves garlic thinly sliced
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 14.5 ounce crushed tomatoes canned
  • ¼ cup vodka
  • 12 ounces rigatoni dry (uncooked)
  • red chile flakes a pinch
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ½ cup Pecorino Ramano Cheese grated
  • ½ cup fresh basil torn into small pieces
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Add the butter to the pressure cooker and press saute.  
  • When the butter has melted, add the garlic and saute for about 30 seconds, then add the tomato paste and stir for about a minute, or until it begins to brown a little. 
  • Add the crushed tomatoes and the vodka and let it boil off some of the alcohol for about a minute. 
  • Add the rigatoni, red chile flakes, 2 ½ cups cold water, 1 teaspoon salt and some fresh ground black pepper and give it a quick stir.  Lock the lid in place, set the steam valve on "sealing."
  • Press the manual button and then the pressure button to set the pot to Low pressure.   Use the + and - buttons to set the time for 6 minutes.   The pot will come up to pressure, cook for 6 minutes and then turn to keep warm. 
  • When the time is up, do a quick pressure release by carefully turning the steam valve to open.  When the pressure valve drops, unlock the lid. 
  • Add the cream to the pasta and stir to combine.  Let it sit for about 5 minutes for the sauce to thicken a bit.  Then stir in the cheese and the basil.  Add more salt and black pepper to taste. 

Notes

  • Unsalted butter - can use salted, but taste sauce before seasoning.
  • Crushed Tomatoes - canned.
  • Vodka - my Black Pepper Vodka would work great here!
  • Rigatoni Pasta - can substitute penne.
  • Heavy Cream - can use half and half if you are watching calories.
  • Pecorino Romano Cheese - can use Parmesan.
  • Fresh Basil - can substitute parsley, but it will be a different flavor.
Note - this recipe cooks on LOW pressure. 

Nutrition

Calories: 600kcal | Carbohydrates: 74g | Protein: 18g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 66mg | Sodium: 457mg | Potassium: 627mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 1220IU | Vitamin C: 12.5mg | Calcium: 223mg | Iron: 2.9mg